Conservative Think-Tank Gives Pataki A "D"

The Cato Institute gave Gov. George Pataki a “D” on its eighth biennial fiscal policy report card, and an overall grade of “C” for his entire 12 years in office. Pataki leads off the Cato press release, which states:

“After earning excellent marks at the start of his governorship, Pataki’s final term grade drops for abandoning his commitment to lower taxes and smaller government. If he runs for president in 2008, he’ll find it difficult convincing small-government advocates that he’s still one of them.”

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, another moderate, blue state Republican eyeing an ’08 White House run, also received an overall grade of “C” for his gubernatorial tenure.Â Â

The only governor to earn an “A” was Missouri’s Matt Blunt, a Republican, which the Cato Institute says was awarded due to his cutting of the state budget and restraining Medicaid spending. The highest-scoring Democrats were New Hampshire’s John Lynch and Tennessee’s Phil Bredesen, both of whom received Bs.

California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, who received an A in 2004, dropped to a D this time around after increasing the state budget.